Kaka equaliser denies Villa victory

Kaka upstaged David Villa on Sunday at a sold out Citrus Bowl, scoring a stoppage-time equaliser for Orlando City versus New York City.

Published

8 March 2015

Kaka triumphed in the battle of the World Cup winners on Sunday, as MLS debutants Orlando City and New York City played out a 1-1 draw.

The ex-Brazil international struck a late equaliser for the home side in front of 62,510 fans at Orlando's Citrus Bowl, while New York City's captain - and former Spain representative - David Villa failed to get on the scoresheet.

United States international Mix Diskerud had threatened to upstage both team-mate Villa and Orlando captain Kaka when he curled home NYC's maiden competitive goal in the 76th minute.

But in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Kaka stepped up to take a free-kick from 20 yards and his effort took a massive deflection to beat NYC goalkeeper Josh Saunders and spark the majority of the crowd into raucous celebrations.

In a tight encounter in Florida, Orlando generally had the better chances with Kaka much more involved than Villa.

But the former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward still provided a moment of class, cutting in from the right wing to tee up Diskerud with 14 minutes remaining, but Kaka had the last laugh.